Assessor Resource

PSPRAD301
Perform basic radiation measurements

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency applies to personnel undertaking radiation-related work activities, including:

extracting, milling, processing and packing radioactive ores

operating, installing, servicing and calibrating fixed radiation gauges, bore hole logging or industrial radiography equipment, and moisture/density gauges

decontaminating and servicing equipment that has been in contact with radioactive material

XRF and XRD analysis

collecting, preparing and testing samples containing radioactive materials

using radionuclides in a laboratory.

Measurements that are part of this unit would be performed under the authorisation and supervision, or delegated supervision, of a responsible person and in accordance with radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines.

The activities may take place:

at a mine or plant that processes radioactive ore and minerals

with instruments that emit ionising radiation at geotechnical, construction, mining and manufacturing sites, or analytical and research facilities

in a laboratory or licensed facility that handles radioactive materials or has radiation-emitting apparatus

in a nuclear facility.

This unit covers the ability to directly measure radiation by following the organisation's procedures and using instruments calibrated by others. Basic radiation measurements will be straightforward involving one or two steps, take a short time and produce results that can be easily compared with specified limits.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

work safely in a radiation environment

use measuring instruments to obtain reliable radiation data

care for radiation measuring instruments and PPE

record radiation data accurately and report results

keep accurate and complete records relevant to job role or assigned tasks

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by safely undertaking a variety of radiation measurement tasks using appropriate instruments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.

Assessment must comply with:

local regulations regarding the registration of operators, premises and sources at workplaces where radioactive materials and/or ionising radiation equipment are present

organisation's radiation management plan

manufacturer's instructions for operating radiation measuring instruments

Access may be required to:

registered premises and sources

supervision by a radiation safety professional

radiation measuring instruments

appropriate PPE

organisation's radiation management plan and operating procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

oral or written tests and calculations involving:

radiation terms, principles and quantities

pre-use checks, operation and basic maintenance of radiation measuring instruments

care and use of specified PPE

review of radiation data, results and records generated by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant radiation protection and safety requirements

observation of the candidate using and caring for radiation measuring instruments and PPE in a simulated radiation environment

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency that are difficult to assess directly.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

applying manufacturer's recommended procedures for using and caring for radiation measuring instruments

applying safe working rules and those parts of the organisation's radiation management plan relevant to job role

conducting pre-use checks and simple maintenance for radiation measuring instruments and task-related equipment used in job role

reading scales and displays accurately for a wide range of values

recording radiation results legibly and with the specified accuracy, precision and units

regularly assessing and reassessing hazards and taking appropriate protective measures

seeking advice and further directions when faced with unforeseen circumstances or situations that may require decisions or response actions beyond technical competence

using and caring for PPE used in job role

Required knowledge

terms and concepts, such as ionising radiation, radioactivity, radioactive material, activity, dose, contamination, contamination controls, shielding, half-life, radionuclide, and safe distance

types and properties of ionising radiation (e.g. alpha, beta, gamma, neutron, x-ray, electron), sources and shielding methods

types of radiation measuring instruments used in job role, such as air proportional, gas proportional, gas ionisation, Geiger-Muller (GM), compensated GM, scintillation, neutron monitors, solid state, and personal dosimeters (badge and electronic)

definitions of radiation quantities, such as exposure, dose, and relevant dose limits

international system (SI) of units for radiation quantities, multiples and sub-multiples, and significant figures

function of key components and operating principles of radiation measuring instruments used in job role

effects on results of modifying instrument settings and variables

basic instrument troubleshooting and maintenance procedures

guidelines and safety procedures for working with radiation sources, based on principles:

reducing exposure time

maintaining greatest distance

using as much shielding as possible

techniques for assessing radiation hazards likely to be encountered in job role

health, safety and workplace emergency response procedures relevant to job role

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ionising radiation may include:

x-rays, electrons, neutrons, gamma rays, beta particles and alpha particles emitted from radioactive materials, including sealed and unsealed sources

neutrons emitted from generator tubes

x-rays generated by industrial radiography equipment, XRF and XRD instruments

Radiation measurements may include:

recording background levels

recording radiation levels during the operation of sealed source equipment

confirming that a sealed source has been returned to the fully shielded position in its container

assessing integrity of packaging or shielding

locating contamination on personnel and equipment

determining the effectiveness of decontamination

Radiation management plan should include details of:

safe working rules and workplace emergency response procedures

roles and responsibilities of personnel

radiation monitoring requirements

control of an incident involving a source

storage of a source

accountability and records

other requirements that may have a bearing on safety

Hazards may include:

inhalation of radioactive dust or gas

ingestion of radioactive dust or contaminated food or water

unexpected exposure to sealed or unsealed radiation sources or partially enclosed equipment that emits ionising radiation

Measuring instruments may include:

air proportional (alpha)

gas proportional (alpha, beta)

gas ionisation (gamma)

Geiger-Muller (beta, gamma)

ionisation (beta)

scintillation (alpha, beta, gamma)

solid state (alpha, gamma)

Safe working rules relevant to performing basic radiation measurements may include:

safe methods for conducting specific radiation measurements and wipe tests

procedures for recording and reporting results

types and occasions for use of personal monitoring devices

personal decontamination procedures

Radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines may include:

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) radiation protection series publications, such as:

RPS No.1 Recommendations for Limiting Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (1995) and National Standard for Limiting Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation (republished 2002)

RPS No.7 Recommendations for Intervention in Emergency Situations Involving Radiation Exposure (2004)

requirements of commonwealth, state and territory radiation protection and safety legislation

definition of a responsible person

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves, over-boots, safety hats, goggles, face masks, overalls and gowns

respirators or HEPA filter masks

Appropriate corrective actions may include:

accuracy check of data entry and transcription

logical check of instrument set-up

check of calibration, zero error and drift for measuring instrument

check of source-detector geometry/distance

careful re-reading of procedures and checklists

repeat radiation measurements

seeking advice

Required records may include details of:

calibration, inspection, and use and maintenance of radiation instruments and equipment

incidents and accidents involving exposure to radiation

Radiation incidents may include:

exposure of unauthorised personnel entering a controlled area

personal exposure above statutory exposure limits and a monitoring result in excess of statutory derived levels of exposure

exposure from an uncontrolled, high hazard radioactive sealed source that:

has loss or destruction of shielding

is involved in a transport accident

is lost, missing or stolen

has malfunction of its shutter or interlocks

has been dropped during removal from its container

has jammed in an unsafe position

exposure from equipment that emits ionising radiation and has:

loss or destruction of shielding

malfunction of its shutter or interlocks

exposure from dispersed radioactive material caused by:

leakage or radioactive contamination

industrial or laboratory accident

uncontrolled releases of radioactive materials from a mine site, such as dust or contaminated water

dispersion of contaminants following destruction of a high activity sealed source

Response procedures will include:

instructions for keeping exposures to a minimum, consistent with essential operations through evacuation or otherwise

instructions for notifying relevant competent authority if required

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm purpose, priority and nature of required ionisingradiation measurements and any site access arrangements with supervisor. 
Use organisation's radiation management plan to obtain information about the hazards associated with performing the measurements, measuring instruments and safe working rules to be used and refer to radiation protection safety standards, codes and guidelines as necessary. 
Perform and record pre-use checks of measuring instruments and tag or replace faulty items as necessary. 
Check that personal protective equipment (PPE) and other task-related equipment is fit for purpose. 
Stow measuring instruments and task-related equipment to ensure safe transport to the site and within the boundaries of the site if required. 
Operate measuring instruments in accordance with radiation management plan and manufacturer specifications and applying safe working rules to minimise personal radiation exposure. 
Perform measurements at specified locations and times and in accordance with organisational procedures. 
Seek advice if required measurements cannot be made or if specified procedures require modification. 
Conduct regular instrument checks and minor maintenance (e.g. battery changes) if required. 
Take sufficient measurements to ensure reliable data. 
Recognise obvious errors and atypical data, and take appropriate corrective actions. 
Record data with the required precision, accuracy and units. 
Record environmental/site conditions or observations that may impact on data quality. 
Check for contamination and, if necessary, perform personal decontamination in accordance with radiation management plan. 
Re-stow measuring instruments and task-related equipment to ensure safe transport from the site and within the boundaries of the site if required. 
Record use of PPE and measuring instruments according to radiation management plan. 
Check condition of measuring instruments, PPE and task-related equipment before storing them in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and radiation management plan. 
Record results according to organisational procedures. 
Compare results with relevant radiation limits and identify/record significant differences or atypical results. 
Maintain required records that are complete, accurate, legible and secure. 
Recognise unusual situations, unexpected hazards, and potential or actual emergency radiation incidents. 
Inform relevant personnel about the situation, hazard or incident and seek their advice. 
Initiate appropriate workplace emergency first response in accordance with instructions, radiation management plans and organisation's response procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPRAD301 - Perform basic radiation measurements
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Assessment Record Sheet

PSPRAD301 - Perform basic radiation measurements

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